JOE Tizzard feels Thistlecrack is still capable of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his encouraging run in the 32Red King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Assistant to his father, Colin, Tizzard felt last year's King George winner jumped and travelled with all his old enthusiasm, but the race – his second since his return from an absence of 307 days – took plenty out of him and whether he runs again before March remains to be seen.